Ospreys crowned champions

The Ospreys receive the winners trophy from Wales Women's head coach Rhys Edwards

The Ospreys were crowned Women's Regional Champions at Taffs Well on Sunday following their win over the Dragons.

Despite being the only team to go through the campaign undefeated, the Blues were pipped to the post by an Ospreys side who secured a bonus point win in their final game to seal the title.

The Blues also won their last match, seeing off the Scarlets 17-0 though they will look back on their 5-5 draw with the eventual champions as the game that cost them in terms of winning the competition.

This year's tournament was the most competitive to date with over 100 women taking part. From these, a number of players have been identified for a place in the national squad, ear marked for a sevens programme or will be selected to play for a regional development side against the national squad in January.

"The standard of play this season was excellent and a real improvement on previous years," said Rhys Edwards, Wales Women's head coach.

"What was more important for me though was the numbers of girls involved and the new players we've seen.

"We've named a squad of 30 for January which will be cut down before the Six Nations. The season has been changed this year and the competitiveness of the league means the players are all the better for it.

"Hopefully we will see a benefit from that."

In a new initiative for this season, the regional games were held as double headers at local rugby clubs. Alongside the two regional games held back to back, U15 and U18 skills day were organised as part of the WRU's aim of supporting the next generation of young girls who want to play the game.

The Ospreys were crowned champions following their 44-0 win over the Dragons.

Ospreys captain Siwan Lillicrap and flanker Jenny Davies made the most of the advantage, both crossing for two tries apiece. Wing Courtney Howe and replacements Amy Stevens and Rachel Rees completed the win and with it the championship.

In the previous game, the Blues made sure they finished the competition unbeaten with a win over the Scarlets. They ran in three tries and added one conversion with winger Rafiuke De Taylor doing most of the damage.

De Taylor opened the scoring with a try in the 21st minute with Gemma Hallett adding a second soon after. Scrum half Laura Prosser converted Hallett's score for a half time lead of 12-0.

And though the scoring dried up in the second half, the Blues made sure of their win when De Taylor added her second try on the verge of the final whistle.

Wales and Ospreys back row James King, who came through the North Wales age grade system, nominated North Wales Regional Community Rugby Manager Marc Roberts, in the WRU's 'Diolch' initiative where squad players thanked those who played a part in their rise to the top.

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The Welsh Rugby Union is calling on all grassroots clubs to nominate a club integrity officer who will be invited to anti-doping awareness workshops and receive information in order to educate their players and coaches